The best way to experience Bruny Island is through the eyes of those who know it best. We asked the team at Bruny Island Safaris to share their deep connection to the land and the Cape Bruny Lighthouse that defines the southern tip of the island.
A story shaped by place, people and the Lighthouse
Bruny Island is a place that stays with you long after you’ve crossed back to the “mainland”.
For many visitors, it’s the rugged coastlines, incredible produce, or the feeling of stepping somewhere a little removed from the rest of the world. For Bruny Island Safaris, it’s all of that, and more. Since 2012, the business has been built on a simple idea: to share Bruny Island in a way that is genuine, unhurried and deeply connected to its history, landscapes and people.
The vision: An unhurried island experience
Bruny Island Safaris was established in 2012, at a time when more visitors were discovering Bruny Island, but few experiences truly captured what makes the island special. The aim wasn’t to rush people from stop to stop, but to offer full-day tours that balanced sightseeing, local produce, and storytelling; led by people who know the island not just as a destination, but for many, as home.
A legacy at Cape Bruny Lighthouse
At the heart of Bruny Island Safaris is a story that begins long before the business itself.
Managing Director, Craig Parsey, brings a personal connection to the region, having spent his formative years at Cape Bruny Lighthouse, where his father worked as the Lighthouse Keeper. Life at the Lighthouse was shaped by isolation, the elements and routine; a place where the sea, sky and land dictated the rhythm of each day. As a child, Craig experienced South Bruny not as a visitor, but as a place to live, explore and respect.
Those early years instilled a deep appreciation for Bruny Island’s maritime history and its role in Tasmania’s coastal story. The Lighthouse was never just a landmark; it was part of daily life, a working site with a strong sense of purpose and responsibility. Standing tall on the dolerite cliffs of South Bruny, the Lighthouse acted as both guide and guardian of the region.
Bridging the past and present
Today, Craig’s personal connection to the Lighthouse lives on through Bruny Island Safaris, providing guests with exclusive access to guided tours at Cape Bruny Lighthouse, not available through any other tour operator. It is an experience shared with care, respect and pride, offering visitors insight that goes beyond dates and facts, and into the lived history of Cape Bruny Lighthouse.
Since 2012, Bruny Island Safaris has grown steadily, welcoming guests from around Australia and the world. With that growth has come a dedicated team of tour guides, who bring their own stories, knowledge and respect for the island to every tour.
Not your average tour
More than a decade on, what defines Bruny Island Safaris isn’t just where it goes, but how it operates. For Craig and the team, Bruny Island isn’t a product, it’s a place shaped by stories, people and generations of connection. Every tour is an extension of that belief.
As Bruny Island continues to welcome visitors, Bruny Island Safaris remains committed to sharing the island in a way that honours its past while ensuring its future. From the Lighthouse that shaped its beginnings, to the guides who bring stories to life today, the business is, and always has been, about connection.
Plan your visit
To experience the "lived history" of the Cape Bruny Lighthouse for yourself, you can book a full-day experience with the Bruny Island Safaris team. With daily departures from Hobart, Kettering, or on-island, you can join a small-group or private tour to discover the island's secrets for yourself.
